FY 1999-2000 JUDICIARY BUDGET - S.B. 368 (H-1): HOUSE-PASSED



FY 1999-2000 Senate-Passed Gross Appropriation $227,950,000
House Changes to Senate Passed:
1. Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP). The CDRP Centers historically have not received general fund and are supported by a statutory share of filing fees, Federal, and private funds. The Senate included $400,000 GF/GP over the Governor's recommendation for CDRP Centers to provide a minimum level of support. The House increases funding and changes the criteria for general fund distribution. 100,000
2. Appellate Public Defender Program. The Governor's recommendation included a reduction of 15.0 FTE/$1,000,000 GF/GP to the Appellate Public Defender Program. The FY 1998-99 budget included 61.5 FTEs/$5,176,000. The Senate restored the $1,000,000 and included $500,000 of the restoration in a separate line item. The House added $250,000 over the Senate to the current year line item and did not concur with the $500,000 separate line item. The House instead appropriated $500,000 for a new reimbursement line for local indigent criminal appellate costs.

a) State Appellate Defender Operations Line Item

b) State Appellate Defender Office (separate line item) -

c) Grants to Counties for Indigent Criminal Appellate Services -



250,000

(500,000)

500,000

3. Court of Appeals Security. The House added a nominal amount for the operation of security screening equipment for court rooms to preserve the issue for Conference Committee. The Judiciary requested 4.0 FTE and $254,000 GF/GP. The Governor and Senate did not include funding for this item. 100
Total Changes $350,100
FY 1999-2000 House-Passed Gross Appropriation $228,300,100



FY 1999-2000 JUDICIARY BUDGET - BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 1999-2000 Senate-Passed:
1. Reimbursement Accountability Grant. The Senate Substitute included new language that withholds 10 percent of the judicial budget until the Auditor General certifies that the Supreme Court has taken all necessary steps to prevent improper reimbursement for certain functions. Subsection b of the language limited reimbursement for meals related to work activities to State employees and board and commission members. The House eliminated subsection b and modified the language by also excluding reimbursement for conferences. (Sec. 316)
2. Travel Policy. The Governor eliminated language that requires the Supreme Court to adopt the most efficient and cost-effective method for travel. The Senate Substitute concurred with the Governor. The House restored the language. (Sec. 306a)
3.. Intent Language Regarding Court Rules. The Governor removed language that urged the Supreme Court to examine court rules and consider changes that would allow candidates for judge to express opinions on political issues and also allow judges to preside over cases even though they have publicly expressed political opinions on issues generally related to a case. The Senate Substitute restored the language. The House eliminated the language.
4. State Appellate Defender Office (SADO). The Senate Substitute added language that freezes the salaries of the top three SADO administrative positions at FY 1998-99 levels. The House eliminated the language.
5. Community Dispute Resolution (CDR) Funding. The Senate Substitute added language that provides criteria for additional funding to CDR Centers. The Senate language does not provide funding to centers that currently receive $64,500 or more from State restricted revenue. The House modified the language by eliminating the $64,500 limit, distributing the funds partially based on a minimum level of funding, and distributing the balance to all centers based on performance criteria.
6. Local Indigent Appellate Counsel. The House included new language that requires the State Court Administrative Office, the Michigan Association of Counties, and the fiscal agencies, to develop a formula for distribution of funding to counties for indigent criminal appellate costs. (Sec. 318)
7. Copies of Reports. The House added language that requires the judicial branch to create and retain copies of all reports funded from appropriations in the bill. (Sec. 209a)
8. Year 2000 Compliance. The House added language that requires the judicial branch to submit quarterly reports on efforts to make computer hardware and software Year 2000 compliant. Also requires quarterly reports beginning April 1, 2000 that identify information system problems, corrective actions, and itemization of additional costs incurred. Authorizes progress billings to DMB including costs for corrective action. (Sec. 317)
9. SADO Audit. Requires the Auditor General to perform an audit to ensure program effectiveness, efficiencies, and compliance with State law. (Sec. 319)

Date Completed: 5/26/99 - Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman